They are more than 65 feet long, with a wingspan of roughly 93 feet; inside, only a pilot and co-pilot sit. The power and purpose of these planes come from their tanks, which hold 1,600 gallons of water.

They are the CL-415 Super Scoopers, on loan from Quebec, as part of an ongoing partnership between the Canadian province and Los Angeles. The two planes are sent to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department with aerial firefighting efforts each year.

“We carry out 1,600 gallons of water and we scoop that 1,600 gallons in about 10 to 15 seconds depending on the speed and where we are,” said Pascal Duclos, chief pilot at Quebec’s transport ministry.

The tanks, which sit on either side of the center of the plane and extend underneath, scoop up water, dropping it every two to three minu

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